Safeguarding:
The safety and wellbeing of children is important to us all. If you are concerned about any child talk to any member of staff or call our Family Support Team on 0121 777 2722.
Statement of intent
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all early years’ providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. We provide a staffing ratio in line with the requirements to ensure that children have sufficient individual attention and to education of a high quality. Our staff are appropriately qualified, and we carry out checks for criminal and other records through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in accordance with statutory requirements.
We use the following ratios of adult to child:
- Children aged two years of age: 1 adult: 4 children for children in the Little Bud room. The ratio has been changed to 1:5 which we may use as needed (due to staff shortage etc)
- Children aged three – eight years of age: 1 adult: 8 children.
We ensure each room always has at least one Approved Level 3 Qualified member of staff and at least half of the staff will hold a relevant Level 2 qualification as required by the EYFS.
Children must usually be within sight and hearing of staff and always within sight or hearing.
We do take on students, apprentices and volunteers as we understand the importance of supporting the next generation of Early Years workers and want to help those new to the sector to learn and grow. We will provide adequate inductions, support and supervisions alongside mentoring from experienced staff and guidance from the management team.
We use a key person system to ensure that each child has a named member of staff with whom to form a relationship and who plans with parents for the child’s well-being and development in the setting. The key person meets regularly with the family for discussion and consultation on their child’s progress.
We hold weekly staff meetings to undertake planning and to discuss children’s progress, their achievements and any difficulties that may arise from time to time.
We work towards offering equality of opportunity by using non-discriminatory procedures for staff recruitment and selection.
All staff has job descriptions, which set out their staff roles and responsibilities.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applicants will be considered based on their suitability for the post, regardless of marital status, age, gender, culture, religious belief, ethnic origin or sexual orientation. Applicants will not be placed at a disadvantage by our imposing conditions or requirements that are not justifiable.
We provide regular in-service training to all staff – whether paid staff or volunteers – through external agencies.
Our setting budget allocates resources to training.
We provide staff induction training in the first week of employment. This induction includes our Health and Safety Policy and Safeguarding Policy. Other policies and procedures will be introduced in an induction plan.
We support the work of our staff by holding termly supervision meetings and annual appraisals.
We are committed to recruiting, appointing and employing staff in accordance with all relevant legislation and best practice.
We use Ofsted guidance on obtaining references and criminal record checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DSB) for staff and volunteers who will have substantial access to children.
This policy was revised March 2025 by Nursery Manager
Review date: March 2026
